Recently I watched the Smoke Fairies play while attending the Roy Orbison Birthday Party in London. It was great to hear them perform the Roy Orbison song “It’s Over” and their rendition of the track is included on the new ‘Under the Covers’ tribute release which includes other artists performing Roy Orbison songs such as Aruba Red, The Carter Twins, Rooney, Findlay Brown and more.

Smoke Fairies are Jessica Davies and Katherine Blamire and they’re set to release their latest single “Frozen Heart” June 15, 2009. The song has a vintage feel and could easily have fit in with the festivals in the late 60’s. Jessica and Katherine’s harmonies are warm and at times can sound like k.d. Lang harmonizing with herself (which is a very good thing)…but with “Frozen Heart”, the soaring higher voice quickly distracts from that thought. The rhythmic instrumentation and percussion adds another level to the track – dreamy, mesmerizing. Superb.

Watch “Living With Ghosts” video (debut single):

What people are saying about Smoke Fairies:

“Frankly the best thing I have heard in years” – Richard Hawley

“Dark, lustful blues-folk” – Mojo

“Beautifully harmonised, wistful songs … This is enchanting” – The Guardian

“Smoke Fairies are stronger, sexier and more sultry … yet still maintain a fragile vulnerability; ethereally enchanting” – The Times

Smoke Fairies 2009 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

15 May Great Escape Festival – Brighton
21 May O2 Islington Academy w/ The Handsome Family – London
23 May The Ent Shed w/ The Handsome Family – Bedford
25 May Wild Hare Club – Herefordshire
25 May The Glee Club w/The Handsome Family – Birmingham
26 May St Davids Hall w/The Handsome Family – Cardiff
28 May The Spiegel Tent w/The Handsome Family – Bath
29 May De La Warr Pavilion w/The Handsome Family – Bexhill
30 May South Street w/The Handsome Family – Reading
31 May Exeter Pheonix w/The Handsome Family – Exeter
4 Jun The Luminaire – Headline Show – London
14 Aug Woolfire Festival – Hampshire

Smoke Fairies MySpace

By: Jenny May – BandWeblogs.com

Fed up with the annual warbling from the Christmas chart contenders? Well fear not for this year The Handsome Family plan to rescue you from this torment with a free download of their track “So Much Wine”, a song the band performed to much acclaim on Later…with Jools Holland and was recently covered by Christy Moore.

The Handsome Family on amazon.co.uk

The Handsome Family on amazon.com

Taken from the album ‘In The Air’ it’s a cautionary tale of a festive breakdown that should sit comfortably alongside the Queen’s speech, mistletoe, the inevitable family slanging match and industrial strength tranquillisers.

It’ll be available as a free download at loosemusic.com from December 1st, 2008.

The Handsome Family’s new album ‘Honey Moon’ will be released in April 2009 and they play two shows in London later this month:

November 29, 2008
Twisted Folk @ The Arts Depot – North Finchley – London – N12
Tickets: £15 / £17
Box Office: 0208 369 5454
The Arts Depot

November 30, 2008
The Half Moon – Herne Hill – London SE24
Tickets: £12
Box Office – 020 7274 2733
The Half Moon

The Handsome Family on Loose Music

The Handsome Family Official Website
MySpace